If you’ve ever caught yourself gawking at artisans shaping beautiful sticks of rock candy, this watch from Hermès will surely amaze. In a similar way, thin glass canes are arranged to form each of the many floral motifs that you see on the clock dials of the Hermès Arceau Millefiori collection of watches.
A timepiece from the Hermès Arceau Millefiori collection. Image: Hermès
You’ll get to view these beautiful works of art up-close soon, at the Hermès “Of Mastery and Time” exhibition at Scotts Square. To be held from September 24 to October 5, 2014, this watch showcase will display these intricate horological creations, while sharing more information about the craftsmanship that goes into making these timepieces.
The floral millefiori motif that you see on this watch dial translates poetically as “a thousand flowers”. It’s so aptly named after the many successive layers of thin crystal that the glassmakers apply to the enamel design in order to create just one of the many types of floral designs that you see here.
A timepiece from the Hermès Arceau Millefiori collection. Image: Hermès
Just like the sticks of rock candy, these glass canes too have to be cut into small portions, to form a bed of flowers to create the intricate patterns. These are then held in place with another layer of molten crystal, which helps form the striking clock dials.
Other remarkable timepieces on display include the pocket watch christened “Arceau Pocket Chevaux sauvages”, which features an intricate engraving of a pair of horses on its crystal cover.
The “Arceau Pocket Chevaux sauvages” from Hermès. Image: Hermès
The crystal engraver will also be at the Singapore exhibition from September 25 to 28, to demonstrate the work that goes into the making of this collectible creation.
The Hermès Of Mastery and Time exhibition will be held in Singapore from September 24 to October 5, 2014 at Scotts Square, Level 1 Atrium.